Members of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have arrested three members of the banned militant outfit Ansar al-Islam.
The arrestees are Mohammad Shiblu alias Rafiqul Islam Shiblu alias Jodha of Hind, 20, Md Zahidur Rahman alias Zahid, 28 and Shahadat Hossain, 25.
Mohammad Shiblu was arrested from Noakhali on Thursday. Later, based on his information Zahid and Shahadat were arrested from Comilla on Friday morning.
During the raid, seven extremist ideological books, four smart, one-button mobile phones and 10 SIM cards were seized.
ATU's Media and Awareness Branch Superintendent of Police Mohammad Aslam Khan said: "The arrestees had been carrying out various activities for a long time to establish Kilafath state in Bangladesh through online militancy and anti-state conspiracy."
He also added: "The three arrested were active members of Ansar al-Islam. They were using social media to plan and train for the sabotage, opening various secured groups and discussing among themselves."
“Secret meetings were held every month under the leadership of Shiblu to decide how the banned organization could be used to promote in the country by motivating the radicalized youth and other members of the organization,” he added.
This police officer also said that legal action against the arrestees is under process.
